Hello everybody, I'm thinking on ordering a new bass based on a SC signature standard with some custom ideas. The question is: Is it better (regarding to prices) to order it directly to the factory or should I order it to a distributor (I live in Andorra and there's a distributor in Bilbao - Spain)? Thanks!

Go through the dealer. The factory charges MSRP, the dealer gives a discount. The cool thing is that even going through a dealer, you will still be able to have as much input with the factory as you want. You'll be able to communicate directly with Alembic. Good luck with your bass if you decide to go forward. You won't regret it.

We do have a distributor in Spain, Ross Systems in Bilbao. Miguel Busto is the contact name there. You can find all their contact information on our Foreign Dealers page at this address: http://alembic.com/family/foreign_dealers.html

Ok, thank you. I'll contact with Miguel at Bilbao. How does this kind of orders work? I first explain to the distributor exactly what I have in mind, then he makes the order to the factory following my indications? How can I follow the factory work and how can I communicate with Alembic during the work? Once finished, the bass is send to the distributor and I pay him for it? Is all that right or am I completely wrong?

I just want to have a clear idea about how it works before dreaming too much on a "self-minded" bass!!

it's a kind of "parallel" thing you'll have to do. I think you will have to make your mind up first: what, how, etc ...etc ... . Custom ...well ..."custom" is Almbics middle name so to speak. As you know it IS kind of pricy. So ...a deposit will be asked on a certain moment. You will receive the price from the distributor, not from Alembic, so FIRST the wish list, THAN the offer, THAN the deposit. And than ....the thing get's rolling. If you want a Factory to Customer ...I guess you simple pass the word to Mica. Some advice: do the thinking BEFORE the Alembicians start working. You REALLY have to do a good homework, it will speed up the construction of your bass. Keep practicing sitting on the top of your table, legs crossed, breathing slowly, your eyes fixed on a flower to see it grow and recite the mantra: "the waiting is the ultimate, the waiting is the receiving, the waiting is the ultimate, the waiting is the receiving, the waiting is the ultimate, the waiting is the receiving, the waiting is the ultimate, the waiting is the receiving, the waiting is the ultimate, the waiting is the receiving, the waiting is the ultimate, the waiting is the receiving,...

After some months and UPS does what they expect to do you'll receive a phone call to pick up your bass in Bilbao. Pay what you still owe and ...you'll be in bass heaven!!!

OK Paul, I will follow your words. I'm not hurry and I don't want to make mistakes or forget an important matter just because I want a new bass in a short time. So, I'll start brainstorming as soon as this message will be post. I'll probably ask to some of you for some choices... This club is really great!!

Ladry, Ditto what Paul said so eloquently. Plus as you think of the features you should contact the fine folks at Alembic. They are very helpfull with telling you how your ideas will work (or not work). Talking to Susan helped me tremendously when I was trying to decide on some features for my bass. This helped me get a concise order that I could take to my distributor for a quote.

I will also say the few months from order to building actually passed quickly. It was the last few weeks from near completion to my house that seemed to take forever.